Biographies, the sea of inspiration

Life is a journey. And a good motivation once in a while makes the journey worthwhile.

People have found their motivation and inspiration by studying the lives of the ones who became successful in their endeavours.

For such apparent reasons, autobiographies or biographies of cherished icons are always favourites among booklovers at the Amar Ekushey Granthamela. 

Zara Hossain, a student of a private university, who bought a biography of Michael Madhusudan Dutt by Sunirmal Basu at the book fair yesterday, said, “I used to buy novels and short stories. But this year, I've decided to buy biographies.”

Many others -- including students, job holders and homemakers -- were seen going from stall to stall looking for biographies of their favourite personalities.

“I bought an autobiography titled 'I Am Malala',” said Fariha, a 10th grader at Monipur High School. “Her indomitable determination towards ensuring the rights of women overwhelms me,” she added after buying the book at the stall of Anyadhara publication.

Biographies of various personalities in different fields including arts, literature, politics and science were also selling well. Many visitors preferred translated biographies of world leaders.

“I have bought five biographies of different internationally recognised personalities. Their ways of life give us wisdom. Their struggles help us understand the intensity of their sacrifice,” said government service holder Mostafizur Rahman.

Memoirs of different writers on Khudiram Bose, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and Pritilata Waddedar were being sold at the stall of Biplobider Kotha.

“Personalities like them always draw attention of students and young minds for their indomitable struggle against injustice,” said Laboni Mondol, the stall's in-charge.

“Bangabandhur Jibon Kotha” written by Shams Sayeed -- a juvenile-friendly version of biography on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being sold at the stall of Anwesha Prokashan.

An autobiography of Sardar Fazlul Karim titled “Ami Sardar Bolchhi” is also selling at the stall.

Biographies on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many other eminent personalities are also drawing attention of the booklovers at Journeyman Books.

There are stalls who are selling translated autobiographies and biographies. Ankur Prokashani is one of them. “Audacity of Hope” by Barack Obama, “Living History” by Hilary Clinton and biographies of Steve Jobs and many others are available at the stall.   

Biography on Mother Teresa and actress Suchitra Sen is available at the pavilion of Pearl Publication.

Kathaprokash publication is selling a series of biographies on a number of personalities from home and abroad. Their list includes the names of Begum Sufia Kamal, Begum Rokeya, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Albert Einstein and many more.

Biographies on Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Debendranath Tagore are also in selling at different stalls. 

A total of 126 books arrived at the fair yesterday when “Jiboner Pathey” and “Mr. World Akash” by Rehana Akhter were launched.